What Kind of Cage Should I Get My Pet Rat?

Your pet rat's cage should allow it to freely enjoy its environment while also ensuring its safety. Keeping this in mind, you should select a cage for your rat based on factors such as size, ventilation and cage material. Other considerations include ease of cleaning or elaborate creative setups but these are not necessary factors and can be selected using your own personal preference.

  1. Size

    • Size is one of the most important factors to take into account when selecting a cage for your pet rat. Your cage should be around 2 cu. ft. per rat that will be placed in the cage. To find how many rats a cage can comfortably keep, the Rat Chatter website recommends this formula: Multiply its length by its width and its height, then divide the total by 3,456. For example, if a cage is 20-in. long x 10-in. wide x 25-in. tall, multiply 20 x 10 x 25 to get 5,000 cu. in. Then divide that by 3,456 to get 1.45. In this case, the cage can safely hold one rat. Another thing to keep in mind is that rats love to climb. A cage that that has several layers lets your pet rat freely climb and explore.

    Ventilation

    • Rats are vulnerable to respiratory problems so good ventilation is important in a cage. Ammonia is released into the air from droppings and urine so utilize a cage, such as most wire ones, that allows proper air flow so that the ammonia will not linger in the air too long. Put litter on the floor of the cage to help absorb some of the moisture from your rat's droppings, which will in turn also help the surrounding air conditions. Avoid using an aquarium for your pet no matter how big it is since no air can circulate properly in such a set-up.

    Cage Material

    • Rat cages are available in several kinds of materials. Plastic cages are attractive, but your pet rat will likely chew through the cage and escape so it is best to avoid these cages. Wire is a popular choice since rats are not able to chew through it, but you will need to clean the cage more often because the rat's urine may lead to rusting. If you prefer the wire option, select a powder-coated wire cage since it is both low maintenance as well as chew-proof. Whichever cage you choose, make sure that the bottom is solid, as wire bottoms can lead to broken legs if your rat takes a wrong step and gets stuck.